DIFC FinTech Hive launches career mentorship programme, AccelerateHer

DIFC FinTech Hive, the first and largest
financial technology accelerator in the Middle East, Africa and South
Asia (MEASA) region, announced today the launch of AccelerateHer, a
mentorship programme which equips budding female professionals with
necessary tools and experience to play a more active role in the
development of the region’s FinTech landscape.

Held in partnership with Cater Murray, a
global specialist marketing and sales recruitment agency, the
mentorship programme will run from April to November 2019. AccelerateHer
will connect young aspiring executives to accomplished professionals
with relevant expertise from across DIFC FinTech Hive’s strategic
partnership network, which includes some of the world’s leading
financial organisations.

On this occasion, Raja Al Mazrouei, Executive Vice President of DIFC FinTech Hive, said: “Research
shows that women remain significantly underrepresented in the upper
levels of financial services, so we are very excited to launch today’s
initiative under the FinTech Hive umbrella. DIFC’s fintech accelerator
plays a crucial role in our efforts to shape the future of the regional
financial landscape. I’m confident that AccelerateHer will complement
these efforts by exposing the young female talent of the UAE to a
diverse range of experiences that allow them to play a more influential
role in the future of the industry.”

The first edition of AccelerateHer was
formally launched during a breakfast session today, presenting mentees
with an opportunity to engage with mentors from a diverse range of
fields at this early stage of their career development. The launch event
saw 12 mentorship pairings established between mentees and mentors from
Arab Bank, AXA Insurance, CIGNA, Emirates Islamic, First Abu Dhabi
Bank, HSBC, Insurance House, Noor Bank, Noor Takaful, Standard
Chartered, VISA, and Zurich.

AccelerateHer complements the
established FinTech ecosystem in DIFC that includes an enabling
infrastructure, fit-for-purpose-regulation, subsidised licensing and
most importantly, access to some of the world’s pioneering financial
institutions.

DIFC FinTech Hive recently announced it
has begun accepting applications for the third cycle of its hugely
successful accelerator programme. The third cycle will kick off in
September, 2019, welcoming selected FinTech start-ups to an intensive
three-month programme, which will include guidance and mentorship from
21 partners, comprising financial institutions, insurance firms and
strategic partners.